I was fondled by my borstal master back in the day which never did no harm. WIthout the firm feel of him gripping me around the neck whilst indecently touching me I doubt I would have survived the war. Our sexual relationship solidified me, in and out.- Alfred, Merry upon Heath, 29/3/2012 11:30

Oh FGS. British tastes have moved on shock horror fury. And nearly 500 people have bothered to comment. How hard is it to get your head round the concept that if you don't like something, find an alternative that you do like from the wide range of available substitutes? Saves so much time and angst, I find. And helps the blood pressure.

And in other news: butter isn't as yellow as it used to be, it isn't always snowy at Christmas and sunny from May to August and chicken isn't as delicious as it was when people only ate it occasionally. O tempora, o mores.

The great thing about a good 'internet furore' is that it's proof to the faithful that the Internet is a big waste of time* used exclusively by feckless youths who all vote labour anyway and have no idea about anything and grr arrgh down the coal mines bring back borstal.

Of course, it never occurs to them that one aspect of the internet is the relative anonymity it grants, if one so wishes. The people complaining about whatever may well be (shock horror!) people just like you. They may be people you'd not suspect at first sight of having such opinions. They may be feigning 'outrage' for a bit of a laugh. There's another Mailite bugbear there - people acting spontaneously**. And seeming to enjoy themselves.

*Mailite classic - Anything I don't understand = waste of time.

**As opposed to venting their spleens on cue, through identified channels, as and when the Editor orders it.

_________________"Now you must present yourself as constantly combative in easily digestible ten second soundbites. So intelligent debate is eroded and faux outrage is the norm."

Apparently Elf and Safety is bad because fewer children are breaking their arms.

Do these people consider themselves the cutting edge of comedy?I see only idiots who fail elementary logic.

Aside, Wicksteed park is/was a great place for a day out.I used to go there when visiting Grandparents.

There were a few "Pay to go" rides including an excellent train, rowing boats, water chute that seemed to derail almost every turn and canoes in small ponds.My favourite bit was a huge area full of swings, slides and climbing frames.This was the Wicksteed company showpiece where potential buyers could watch the gear in action.

They also rolled out their newest stuff there.It was great when a new plaything turned up in the local park, and you could tell your friends that you'd been on the prototype 2 years ago.

Being the early '70s space rocket climbing frames were much in vogue.My favourite was tipped up and 45 degrees and had delta wings that functioned as slides.

Eee, it were great. I spent many happy hours bent over a chair while me mum picked splinters out of my buttocks.

- Alfred, UK, 17/4/2012 14:45

Quote:

Wooden planks!? They were lucky! Back in my day we used to climb up the inside of the chimney and slide down the roof! Sometimes, as a special treat my dad would put the fire out before we climbed up, and my mother would catch us in a hair net. But we were happy! None of this nonsense 'elf n safety' back then then eh granddad!

- Robert, Manchester, 17/4/2012 13:06

_________________In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets, and steal loaves of bread.

It's a wonder the children in the modern photos are not obliged to wear crash helmets.

- Joe Blow, Wales, 17/4/2012 12:49

It's amazing how people can see with their own eyes that H&S isn't quite as bad as it's made out to be, and yet still believe it is...

There's a family who enjoy the recreation area in our local park.They always fit the 2 children with full-face BMX helmets before allowing them on the equipment.I think it a little odd, and probably excessive.However I don't mouth off about it like Joe, because I don't know whether the kids might have some condition that makes them more likely to fall, or more susceptible to injury.

I heard a bit of a programme on Radio 4 a fortnight ago which was discussing cycle-helmets. Apparently the government have been investigating the possibility of making them compulsory. The programme presented evidence that only children would benefit as only they fall off bikes. Adults get knocked off by cars where a helmet wouldn't make any difference.Australia which has had compulsory cycle helmets for awhile is apparently considering repealing the law as it has made cycling so un-cool with kids. They are balancing a small risk of increased head injuries against a far greater risk of childhood obesity.

There are confusing statistics surrounding the debate over the use of bicycle helmets for both adults and children. Some research points to helmets encouraging car drivers to give cyclists less space in traffic. Up to a third of children in another study said wearing a helmet would put them off cycling in the first place - bad news for parents concerned about childhood obesity. GP Margaret McCartney uses her own risk analysis to work out how to keep herself safe and fit.

_________________That subtle admixture of the absurd and the surreally plausible...

England's First Public Park was at DERBY. J. C. Loudon to created a "Pleasure Ground" or "Recreation Ground" "to offer the inhabitants of the town the opportunity of enjoying, with their families, exercise, and recreation in the fresh air, in public walks and grounds devoted to that purpose". on Wed Sept 16th 1840.. Law Olmsted, designer of Central Park, New York was influenced by the park and his design for Central Park, sections of which bear a close resemblance to Derby Arboretum.- John, Wales, 17/4/2012 11:26

What the blue fuck is so bad about this post that it's been red arrowed?

_________________There is no polite word for a man like Ian Duncan Smith. He is just the dregs at the bottom of ambition's barrel.